Why is the CDC being prevented from announcing the increasing numbers and

[mfcorey1]

locations of coronavirus cases? Are they afraid that the American people will panic? Well, too late for that. I just left COSTCO and the shelves have been stripped of water. I tried Publix and there is very little there. This is what happens when governments cut key agencies and have to search for competent people to deal with a viral crisis. America has a virus too.

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8068865/Panic-buying-spreads-worried-shoppers-stocking-supplies.html

[AkFemDem]

1. As an aside, why are people stockpiling water?

[mfcorey1]

6. Water is what I mentioned. People are stockpiling

non perishable goods also. They have moved on from the masks. I understand their anxiety of receiving no real directions, and operating from rumours and fears in the communities. It was my usual water purchase time, but it is what it is.

[louis-t]

15. See also: "Duct tape and plastic sheeting".

[Lars39]

7. On another thread,

it was explained that water pipes in Hong Kong were found to transmit SARS.

[Caliman73]

8. Likely thinking of a worst case scenario.

If enough people get sick, services are going to be interrupted. The water flows through municipal lines because people make it flow. If they get sick, then the water can stop flowing.

It is not a highly likely scenario, but when people are hit with something they do not fully understand, fear can drive them to do weird things. There have actually been recommendations that people have enough food and supplies to hunker down for a couple of weeks if the virus becomes wide spread. I am sure that some people are thinking, "I need to get all the water I can"

[Proud Liberal Dem]

13. One of my co-workers is urging to stockpile food/supplies

I can't really figure out what I should do, personally, but I suspect I'm not alone in that regard.

[misanthrope]

18. Well, I'm sure retailers and related industries LOVE that advice

The more demand increases then the higher they can jack up profit margins on existing products. Price gouging is a time-honored American dream.

[misanthrope]

14. Then they don't understand the virus

For most people, it's no more dangerous than a bad cold or average influenza.

[Caliman73]

17. The problem is that there is not a consistent and trustworthy source of information.

We have the idiot in the White House talking about a "Hoax" and how their doing a great job. The CDC and other health agencies are being muzzled. You have inconsistent reports coming out of China and Iran.

Yes, We have heard that it is no worse for the average person than the common cold. But then we are not being kept abreast of new developments on the course and path of the virus.

In the absence of solid, trust worthy information, people will assume the worst.

It isn't necessarily the virus that is the danger, it is the lack of acceptable information that will likely cause the most damage.

[DBoon]

16. because some right wing conspiracy nut told them to

If you trace back the source of this, I bet it points to Alex Jones or someone like him

[hlthe2b]

2. Stripped of water? This isn't a hurricane. That's the last thing I'm worry about.

[Caliman73]

9. I live in prime earth quake territory so I always have a stock pile of water.

I responded above as well, but people are likely just responding on fears of a worst case scenario where vital services like water and electricity are interrupted because of personnel shortages.

It isn't necessarily a rational response based on how things are going, but then fear generally inhibits rational responses.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Makes King Donnie looks bad...or should I say Emporer Todd.

:

[dewsgirl]

4. Because the fewer they test, the fewer numbers will be added

to the count..of course they can't come right out and say that. They are trying every little trick they can to avoid adding to the numbers.

[Caliman73]

5. Partly it is to decrease panic, but more cynically, it is to preserve Trump's image and the economy.

Trump and his handlers have figured that as the virus spreads and things maybe start to slow down, that it will have a negative effect on his election chances. As the stock market drops, Trump can't claim, "a great economy". Instead of actually doing something about the virus, Trump would rather say it is a "hoax" blame things on the Democrats, and try to silence the scientific community.

[global1]

10. The Lack Of Good Truthful Information Is Backfiring On Trump.....

causing people to listen to conspiracy theories; think the worse and as a result this sets more panic in motion.

The way to handle this situation is to provide information about cases and spread and education on coping with the virus.

Trump is doing the opposite. This is dangerous. This will comeback to haunt Trump.

[Wellstone ruled]

11. After the Senate refussing to

hold a trail on Impeachment and removal,all the Agencies are scared shitless of the Orange Anus King.

Sure looks like all these agencies employees are walking with their backs to the wall just hoping for a positive change in January.

Sure all of us have had to work in a similiar environment at one time or other.

[CentralMass]

12. Why does tRump use a sharpie on hurricane maps.

[Claritie Pixie]

19. Because people will panic and it will affect the economy which is Trump's selling point.

He is terrified of all his backers losing money and of the economy tanking. They'd have his head.